FLORENCE, SC – Despite owning 2-1 leads after doubles play, the 18th-ranked Francis Marion University women's tennis team and 27th-ranked Patriot Men both dropped narrow 5-4 non-conference decisions to visiting Wingate University on Friday afternoon (Feb. 17).
Both FMU squads, now 3-1, return to the Kassab Courts on Saturday as they host Erskine College at 1 p.m. Admission is free.
Senior Jannik Roettlingsberger and junior Raul Madrid rallied from a large deficit in their No. 2 doubles tiebreaker to win the extra session 8-6 and the match 9-8. That point gave FMU a 2-1 advantage heading into singles play.
Nationally ranked (#18) singles player Richard Ashforth won a hard-fought point at the No.1 position, 6-7 (4-8), 6-4, 6-4, and Roettlingsberger won in straight sets (6-1, 6-1) at the No.4 spot, but the Bulldogs were able to gain the other four singles points. That included a win at No.6 singles, where the FMU player was forced to retire due to an injury.
In the women's match, Francis Marion won doubles points at positions No.1 and 3, but only senior Samantha Koelliker (at No.1) and junior Sofia Henning (No.4) earned singles victories.
FMU sophomores Marie Krueger (No.2) and Anilu Barraza Araiza (No.5) both lost close three-set singles matches.
Men's Tennis Match Results
Feb 17, 2017 at Florence, SC (Kassab Courts)
Wingate University 5, #27 Francis Marion University 4
Singles competition
1. #18 Richard Ashforth (FMU) def. Filippo Pezzoli (WU) 6-7 (4-8), 6-4, 6-4
2. Daniel Belsito (WU) def. Tarass Thevenaz (FMU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Theo Dessacs (WU) def. Raul Madrid (FMU) 6-2, 6-2
4. J. Roettlingsberger (FMU) def. Josh DuToit (WU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Amir Zari (WU) def. Henri Broeseler (FMU) 6-2, 6-1
6. Nicholas Oliveira (WU) def. Matheo Espinoza (FMU) 6-4, 5-2, retired
Doubles competition
1. Richard Ashforth/Tarass Thevenaz (FMU) def. Daniel Belsito/Josh DuToit (WU) 8-4
2. J. Roettlingsberger/Raul Madrid (FMU) def. Amir Zari/Tyler Schofer (WU) 9-8 (8-6)
3. Theo Dessacs/Duncan Addison (WU) def. Mauricio Guerrero/Matheo Espinoza (FMU) 8-6
Match Notes: Wingate University 4-1
Francis Marion University 3-1; National ranking #27; Regional ranking #6
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (15,2,3,4,6)
T-5:15 A-55
Tennis Match Results
Feb 17, 2017 at Florence, SC (Kassab Courts)
#46 Wingate University 5, #18 Francis Marion University 4
Singles competition
1. Samantha Koelliker (FMU_W) def. Claudia De Andreis (WU) 6-0, 6-1
2. Andrea Ternera (WU) def. Marie Krueger (FMU_W) 6-0, 4-6, 6-0
3. Elena Pellegrini (WU) def. Eva Lieben (FMU_W) 6-1, 6-2
4. Sofia Henning (FMU_W) def. Sydney Homan (WU) 6-2, 6-2
5. Oroma Womeodu (WU) def. Anilu Barraza Araiza (FMU_W) 3-6, 6-4, 7-5
6. Layla Tanik (WU) def. Anna Wintrich (FMU_W) 6-3, 6-2
Doubles competition
1. #21 Samantha Koelliker/Marie Krueger (FMU_W) def. Claudia De Andreis/Sydney Homan (WU) 8-1
2. Oroma Womeodu/Maria Garcia (WU) def. Eva Lieben/Anna Wintrich (FMU_W) 8-6
3. Sofia Henning/Anilu Barraza Araiza (FMU_W) def. Andrea Ternera/Layla Tanik (WU) 8-4
Match Notes: Wingate University 3-0; National ranking #46; Regional ranking #10
Francis Marion University 3-1; National ranking #18; Regional ranking #5
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3,2); Singles (1,3,2,4,6,5)
